Enough Democrats (though not all) are actually sincere about this issue. See also: VA legislative Dems agreeing to pass the redistricting commission amendment a second time after they took control even though they would have controlled map drawing under the old rules.
There's a similar situation where enough Republicans sincerely believe in "leave it to the states" that they don't have the votes to interfere federally on a lot of issues.
Incumbent protection
But aside from Ryan, Suozzi and perhaps Morelle and Tonko in a 2010-type wave, none of their incumbents were even remotely vulnerable in a general.
